UBBC at the Labour Conference

The Labour Conference began in a much happier mood than in previous years, buoyed by Andy Burnham as the new Prime Minister. He did not disappoint. In a clear and positive speech on the aims of his government, he optimistically set out Labour’s priorities for the next 10 years: council house building, a National Care Agency, a national energy grid and agency, state control of water, significant devolution of powers to local mayors, a reset with the EU (including options for rejoining), and a shift towards proportional representation.

What was missing was a discussion of how these ambitions would be paid for. There were also only limited references to business, other than nods to AI and innovation, and very little on foreign policy apart from Gaza, the Gulf crisis insofar as it affects inflation in the UK, and a brief reference to “continuing to support Ukraine”. Labour is largely focused on the domestic agenda and extending state control over key utility sectors, with the conference very heavy on emotion and rhetoric.

Burnham’s agenda largely followed the conference themes, with an overwhelming focus on domestic and social issues, very little on business or detail about how to generate growth, and very little on foreign policy or Ukraine, apart from sanctions on Israel and references to the importance of Labour values and international law.

The most useful fringe panel focused on Ukraine and international, security and defence issues. Speakers included Alex Sobel MP, envoy to Ukraine; Johanna Baxter MP; and Victoria Vdodychenko from Cambridge’s Future Ukraine project.

Oleksandr Korniyenko, Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada, spoke about the daily attacks on Kyiv and how disruptive they are for workers and students alike. He described Russia’s actions as genocide, citing nonstop drone attacks, the destruction of significant industries such as steel, where 15,000 people rely on employment, and attacks on Black Sea exports. He argued that the only answer is to increase Ukraine’s military capacity to stop Putin.

Johanna Baxter spoke movingly about the more than 20,000 Ukrainian children taken from their parents, some of whom, she said, have been sold, tortured and re-educated, with some being prepared to fight against Ukraine. She described this as genocide and horrific, but said Ukraine Solidarity is gradually succeeding in bringing some children back, with around 2,000 returned so far. These crimes are being documented, but more resources are required to trace the children and secure their return. She said Russia wants to take Ukraine’s future away.

Alex Sobel was more hopeful. He is working to secure support for Ukraine among UK MPs and sees the new Vivaldi initiative to reclaim land as positive. UK companies such as Octopus, alongside government support, are helping Ukraine with its energy needs for the coming winter, but we must do more in many ways to support civilians, the military and the energy sector in Ukraine.

To summarise, the conference was strong on “good vibes” and positive rhetoric and was very domestic in focus. There was little discussion of foreign policy beyond generalised support for international law, working with partners and the situation in the Gulf. It was also short on detail about how its ambitions would be achieved, with very little mention of what will encourage growth or recognition of the needs of business. Sanctions on Russia are important, and countries such as India and Indonesia need to join in isolating Russia, which still retains support.

Victoria Vdodychenko had just returned from peace discussions in Vienna and raised the question: what would peace look like? What security guarantees would Ukraine receive, and what deterrence would be available to deter Russia? Ukraine now has a population of 29 million, compared with a previous population of 50 million, so it needs people to return for its future. Ukraine needs tougher sanctions on Russia and increased military pressure to create momentum for peace talks.

We also need to consider Ukraine as a frontier of innovation in the future and change perceptions of the country — from victim to innovator — while combating Russian psyops aimed at running the country down. A cognitive change is required to present a more positive alternative view of Ukraine, highlighting its resilience, innovation, success on the battlefield and ability to repel Russia militarily. European governments must not mentally surrender to Russian propaganda claiming that Ukraine is losing. If Ukraine is vulnerable, all of Europe is vulnerable to Putin. Victoria’s new book on the future of Ukraine is due out on 25 November.

Yuri Levchenko said Ukraine needs a Labour Party that can help the country evolve when peace comes, mirroring the UK after the Second World War and Attlee’s vision of rebuilding the country. This would include reforming the voting and electoral systems to lower barriers to entry and enabling stronger trade unions and workers’ rights. He also noted that unions elsewhere in Europe have the power to support Ukraine through action against companies such as Veiola, which are still operating in Russia.

The Ukrainian Friendship Group then held a well-attended reception at which Wes Streeting, Defence Minister, and Alex Sobel MP spoke.

UBBC attended the few other fringe events addressing foreign affairs and trade. These included the Arab Ambassadors’ reception, attended by Stephen Doughty, the Middle East Minister; Lord Anas Sawar, the Trade Minister, who spoke almost exclusively about social justice in the Middle East; and the Bahraini Ambassador, who heads the Arab Ambassadors Council. We also met the Iraqi Ambassador and KRG representatives, the Omani Deputy Ambassador and the Turkish Ambassador.

Stephen Doughty, Middle East Minister and previously European Minister, spoke at a Caabu event and said the UK would stand behind its partners in the Gulf. He outlined the government’s approach to foreign relations: support international law, act according to Labour values — i.e. what they believe to be right or wrong and to do the right thing morally — and work in tandem with partners such as the EU to effect change.

The effects of this policy can be seen in the government’s sanctions relating to Israeli settlements and its support for a Palestinian state, which was widely praised by the Bahraini Ambassador and members of the audience. Emily Thornberry, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, spoke along similar lines at the Caabu event, where they discussed the crisis in the Gulf and among international institutions. Labour will support the strengthening of institutions such as the UN and international legal and regulatory frameworks, while working bilaterally with partners to uphold shared values and international law.

Anas Sawar, the Trade Minister, also attended the British Chamber of Commerce event, where he gave a positive speech about finding win-win opportunities for trade with other countries and emphasised the importance of exports to the UK economy — i.e. that a 2% increase in exports leads to a 0.6% increase in GDP. He was open and welcoming towards IBBC, so we have an opportunity to meet him when the time is right, define the opportunity for increased trade and pitch it.

Jonathan Reynolds, the Business, Science and Trade Secretary, spoke at the Labour business event and at a wider arena event with the British Chambers of Commerce. He explained the broad remit of his department, which also includes AI and science, areas he hopes to integrate more closely. There are two business members in the Cabinet, so he hopes to strengthen the business voice and coordinate more closely with other departments, such as Transport and Defra, to create a more joined-up approach to making it easier to do business.

Finally, the devolution agenda will give mayors greater control over business development and economic priorities in their areas. As with many of the speeches, the discussions were strong on rhetoric and intent but thin on substantive detail or implementation.

UBBC also attended the EU Commissioners’ and Ambassadors’ reception, where former Middle East Minister Hamish Flaconer spoke about resetting and renegotiating relations with the EU and a summit planned for December. We also met the Mongolian Ambassador, among others. There was no mention of Ukraine.